Orissa's political circle strongly reacted to rebel leader Kishenji's latest threat, circulated by some local TV channels, to target Kolkata and Bhubaneswar, if no dialogue is held immediately.
Notwithstanding chief minister Naveen Patnaik's refusal to hold talks with the Maoists if they do not abjure violence, Orissa's political circle today strongly reacted to rebel leader Kishenji's latest threat, circulated by some local TV channels, to target Kolkata and Bhubaneswar, if no dialogue is held immediately.
Kishenji's threat figured at the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting on the eve of assembly session where members expressed concern over the matter after several Oriya news channels circulated the Maoist leader's warning since this morning.
"We will raise the issue in the assembly relating to the threat given by the Maoist leader," Leader of Opposition, Bhupinder Singh told reporters while criticising the state government's handling of the Maoists.
The legislature party of BJP, NCP and other parties also held discussion on the Kishenji's threat, sources in the parties said.
However, parliamentary affairs minister in the state Raghunath Mohanty said, "None of our MLAs have raised the issue in the BJD legislature party meeting."
Earlier, Patnaik told reporters, "I have repeatedly said that the government will not go for any kind of talks with the Maoists until they give up arms."
Bhupinder Singh said while only three districts were affected by Maoists, in 2000 when Patnaik assumed office of the chief minister, the rebels had taken 20 districts into its fold.
Police, however, had arrested some prominent Maoist leaders from Bhubaneswar, the latest being Subhashree Das alias Mili Panda, wife of the most wanted Sabyasachi Panda.
Police said they were vigilant on the Chandaka forest which is close to the state capital.
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